By Ivan Hadzhiev·
How to Prepare Your Logo and Artwork for a Custom Merch Order
What file formats, color modes, and resolutions to use when submitting artwork for custom merch, and the common mistakes that delay orders and hurt quality.
For most custom merch orders, submit a vector file (AI, EPS, or PDF) with spot colors specified in Pantone references. Vector files are resolution-independent, which means they scale to any print size without quality loss. If you only have a raster file (PNG, JPG), it needs to be at least 300 dpi at the final print size, with clean edges and a transparent background.
Artwork issues are the number one cause of order delays. A file in the wrong format, a logo saved in RGB instead of spot colors, or an artwork brief that leaves placement ambiguous can add days to the production timeline before a single garment is touched. Here is what to get right before you submit.
Vector versus raster: what to use and when
A vector file uses mathematical paths rather than pixels to define shapes. The practical result is that a vector logo can be scaled from the size of a coin to the side of a building with no loss of clarity. Vector is the preferred format for all decoration methods except DTG.
A raster file (PNG, JPG, TIFF) is made of pixels. At small sizes it looks fine. Scale it up beyond its native resolution and it becomes blurry. Raster files work for DTG printing and can work for other methods if the resolution is high enough, but they require more handling and offer less flexibility.
If your logo was created in Adobe Illustrator or a similar tool: export as AI, EPS, or PDF with fonts outlined. This is the format decorators want.
If you only have a PNG or JPG: make sure it is at least 300 dpi at your intended print size. A logo saved at 72 dpi for screen use will not print cleanly.
Color modes: RGB, CMYK, and Pantone
RGB is the color mode for screens. It produces vivid colors that look great on a monitor and cannot be reliably reproduced in print. If you submit an RGB file for screen printing, the decorator will convert it to spot colors, and the result may not match what you saw on screen.
CMYK is the four-color process used in offset and digital printing. It is appropriate for full-color digital printing on hard goods and for DTG. Not the right mode for screen printing with spot colors.
Pantone (spot colors) is the standard for screen printing, embroidery, silkscreen, and pad printing. Pantone is a standardized color system that allows decorators to match specific colors precisely using pre-mixed inks. When you specify a Pantone reference, the decorator can hit that color reliably across different substrates and production runs.
If your brand has a specific color, get its Pantone equivalent and use it. The decoration methods guide has color mode requirements for each method.
File requirements by decoration method
Screen printing: Vector file, spot colors in Pantone, one layer per color. No gradients unless you want halftone conversion (which softens the result). Minimum 300 dpi raster if vector is not available.
Embroidery: Vector or high-res raster as a reference. The decorator will create a stitch file (DST or EMB) from your artwork. Fine lines, thin text, and small detail do not translate to embroidery at small sizes. Minimum recommended text height is 0.25 inches.
DTG: High-res PNG with transparent background, RGB color, 300 dpi at print size. Works best on light-colored cotton or cotton-rich blends.
Laser engraving: Vector with filled, closed paths, black and white only. No gradients. Minimum logo width 0.5 inches.
Silkscreen and pad printing on hard goods: Vector, spot colors, simple mark. Maximum print area is often under one square inch for pad printing.
What to specify in your brief
A file without a brief creates unnecessary back-and-forth. When you submit artwork, include:
Placement. Left chest, back center, sleeve: be specific. "Front of shirt" leaves too much ambiguity on an item with multiple potential locations.
Size. The intended print dimensions in inches. A left-chest logo is typically 3 to 4 inches wide. A back print is typically 10 to 12 inches wide.
Colors. Pantone references for each color in the design. If you are matching a brand color, provide the hex code and the Pantone equivalent.
Decoration method. If you have a preference, say so. If you are unsure, ask for a recommendation given your artwork and quantity.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Sending a logo from a website or email signature. Website logos are typically 72 dpi PNGs optimized for screen. They are almost never print-ready. Find the original source file.
Specifying brand colors in RGB or hex without a Pantone equivalent. Decorators cannot mix spot colors from a hex code. Get the Pantone match for your primary brand color before the first order.
Leaving placement to the decorator's judgment. Decorators will place a logo in the standard location if you do not specify. If that is not what you want, you need to say so in the brief.
Submitting artwork with multiple versions or layers that are not clearly labeled. One file, one current version, with clear notes on what is final. Ambiguous files produce ambiguous results.
For how each decoration method handles artwork differently, see the full decoration methods guide.